Remains of ancient human species found in S Africa cave

Scientists at University of Witwatersrand say the species, Homo naledi, may have buried its dead like modern humans.

10 Sep 2015 19:11 GMT

Archaeologists in South Africa have announced the discovery of a new human species, a find they say could change our understanding of our ancestors.

Researchers at Witwatersrand (Wits) University said on Thursday that the species, which they named Homo naledi, appeared to have intentionally buried its dead in graves - a feature that was once thought to be limited to modern humans.

The scientists at Wits say they have recovered parts belonging to at least 15 individuals of the same species.

"With almost every bone in the body represented multiple times, H naledi is already practically the best-known fossil member of our lineage," said Professor Lee Berger, research professor in the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits.

The remains were found in a cave known as Rising Star in the Cradle of Humankind, about 50km northwest of the South African city of Johannesburg.

The fossils, which included those of children, adults and elderly members of the species, were found in a room deep underground the cave network.

Researchers said the room had been isolated from other chambers and was not open to the surface.

"What's important for people to understand is that the remains were found practically alone in this remote chamber in the absence of any other major fossil animals," said Paul Dirks of James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, the lead author of the paper on the context of the find.